Unfortunately, there is a trend emerging where over-the-counter (OTC) drugs???most frequently dietary supplements???contain ingredients that are pharmacologically active, and can prove to be harmful to the person taking the product. There are dangers in these products in that ingredients may be untested, unstudied, or may be taken by a person who has a hypersensitivity to the active ingredient. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the products that are most frequently found to...

Arava, also known by the generic name Leflunomide, is a drug indicated to treat adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This product may reduce the signs and symptoms of arthritis and may block the structural damage that can occur???as demonstrated by x-ray erosions???and may improve the physical functioning of the joints. This drug, when previously approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was contraindicated in patients who were pregnant, and women having childbearing potential...

An article currently ???in press??? in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases reports on the emergence of a new antibiotic-resistant ???superbug??? that has been found in India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom. This new superbug is a member of the gram-negative Enterobacteriacease that possesses resistance to carbapenem conferred by New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamse 1 (NDM-1). The emergence of these superbugs is of global concern, and several clinical microbiologists are stating that these gram-negative...

A recent study assessed the sense of smell (olfaction) in 21 patients diagnosed with major depression. The results of this study indicated that people who suffered from major depression had a blunted sense of smell. Smell was assessed using measures of odor threshold, odor discrimination, and odor identification. In other words, people who were not depressed were able to smell the chemical used at much lower levels than depressed people. In addition, the volume of the olfactory region of the brain...

Triclosan is an active ingredient that is added to many consumer products such as antibacterial soaps, body washes, and toothpastes. (Triclosan is also known by the chemical name 5-chlor-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol.) The purpose for adding this chemical is to prevent or reduce bacterial contamination, by killing bacteria and fungi. In addition to cleaning agents, Triclosan may also be found in treated kitchenware, furniture, toys, and clothing. To date, Triclosan is not thought to be hazardous...

In an effort to reduce the costs associated with prescription drugs and medicines, or find a drug or medicine not available in the U.S., many consumers turn to a neighboring country or the Internet in order to address their medical needs. However, before making a purchase, there are several issues a consumer should consider. Drugs Shipped to the U.S. Generally speaking, it is illegal for a pharmacy in a foreign country to ship drugs and medicines to the U.S. that are not approved by the Federal Drug...

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells (neurons) that are responsible or controlling voluntary muscles. According the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), approximately 20,000 Americans have ALS, and an estimated 5,000 additional people are diagnosed with ALS each year. Unfortunately, ALS is a rapidly progressive disease that is fatal. In patients suffering with ALS, the upper and lower motor...

It is common knowledge that drinking milk provides calcium and calcium can ward off the effects of osteoporosis (the loss of bone density). However, recent research has demonstrated four new ways where people can benefit from getting their daily recommended allowance of calcium (1,000 mg of calcium per day for adults under the age of 50, 1,200 mg for those above the age of 50). 1. Some studies have demonstrated that dietary calcium can result in a reduced risk of colon cancer. 2. Having calcium in...

On Friday, January 15th, Johnson & Johnson expanded their recent recall (Tylenol Arthritis Caplets dues to smell which resulted in nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea) of Tylenol products to include some batches of Children’s Motrin, Motrin IB, Benadryl Rolaids, Simply Sleep, St. Joseph’s Aspirin, Extra-Strength Tylenol, Children’s Tylenol, Eight-Hour Tylenol, Tylenol Arthritis, and Tylenol PM. These drugs, both in caplet form and gel tabs, were recalled in the Americas,...

Even with the pre-operative measures that are currently in place, surgical research has indicated that there are between 300,000 to 500,000 cases in the U.S. where infection occurs at the surgical site. While surgeons use antiseptic techniques, there have been no studies conducted where antiseptics have been compared and contrasted in their ability to prevent surgical site infection. In the January 7th 2010 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, several physicians operating collaboratively...